When you complete a project as a freelance writer the first thing you do is send it to the client. At that point the waiting game begins. Are they going to like it? Are they going to hate it? Will they ask for revisions? While it would be nice if you never made any mistakes, it is not human. For this reason, it is common for a client to ask for revisions.
You should not see revisions as a bad thing. Some freelance writers think they did something wrong if the client asks for changes. You may not have hit the nail on the head the first time but this does not mean that your first draft was “junk.†In fact, some of my clients ask for revisions no matter what I send them. They told me upfront that this would be the case, and I don’t have any problem with it. When you revise a project it means that the client is going to eventually get something they are 100 percent satisfied with. And that should be one of your main goals as a freelance writer.
Don’t get mad when you have to make some changes to your initial work. Yes, it will take time to go back and revise your work; there is no doubt about this. But in the end, it is part of being a freelance writer. Not everything you do is going to line up perfectly with what the client wants. Even if they give you very specific directions there is a chance that you could stray from what they ultimately want.
I see revisions as a good thing. It ensures that the client is happy, while also making me a better writer. In the long run, both parties benefit.
It is up to you to decide on the path you are going to take to freelance writing success. It goes without saying that you may change your direction many times over the years. The path I was following three years ago is nowhere close to the direction I am heading right now. Is this a bad thing? Definitely not. You should always be evolving and looking for new ways to take your career to the next level.
Are you having a difficult time finding your path? If so, these tips may help:
1. Don’t just think about the path you want to take. Write it down on paper along with advice and tips for moving forward. This is very similar to a business plan in which you are planning everything from how to market your services to the types of clients you want to work with.
2. Ask other freelance writers how they became successful. By reading my blog you can get a good idea of how I have reached my goals. Hopefully this can give you an idea of what you have to do as you move forward. Of course, copying somebody else’s success is not always possible. You are unique and so is your situation. Somewhere along the line you have to do your own thing.
3. Don’t be afraid of change. Even if your path is not clearly defined you are standing somewhere right now. You should not be afraid to move in another direction. Taking chances and experiencing many different things is a necessity if you are going to eventually reach all your goals.
Once you are on the right path you will know it. You will see your client base growing and income increasing. At this point you must continue to push forward while always striving to reach your goals.
As a freelance writer you need good, reliable equipment. This is very true with the computer that you choose to use. From the first day of my freelance writing career I have made sure that a reliable computer was always available. Simply put, if I don’t have access to a reliable computer there is no way for me to get my work done.
If you are lucky, when starting your freelance writing career you will not need to go out and buy a computer. Hopefully you already have one that you can rely on for the time being. As long as you are comfortable with the unit there is no point in blowing money on a new one; at least not yet.
What does reliable mean? I don’t know much about the inner-workings of computers. That being said, I do know some of the details which help to ensure that my computer is always running smoothly. To me, reliability in a computer means that it allows me to do what I want, when I want. The only programs that I use, for the most part, are Internet Explorer and the Microsoft Office package. This is more than enough to keep my on track and allow me to do my job with a high level of success. Since this is nothing too advanced, I usually don’t have an issue with reliability in this area.
If you find that you computer is less than reliable you may need to upgrade. Maybe you cannot get online, programs are always shutting down, or your computer is freezing throughout the day. All of these problems can be annoying, and usually call for your computer being repaired or a new unit altogether.
To become a successful freelance writer you need a reliable computer. Are you reading this blog post on a computer that you consider reliable? If so, you are one step ahead of the game.
